Board puts off deciding on vendor to repair sinkholes

The pond that sits in front of the Woodland Villages along SE 17th Street in Ocala, FL, was just a muddy mess Wednesday morning, August 21, 2013. Apparently a sinkhole opened up late Tuesday August 20, 2013 in front of the housing development. The sinkhole apparently drained the pond.

Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 9:48 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 9:19 p.m.

Officials put off a decision Tuesday night on selecting a vendor to repair two sinkholes that last week swallowed a huge retention pond inside a subdivision, but a decision could be coming by Friday.

Wes Herren, property manager for the Woodland Villages Association, said Tuesday that an engineering firm gave them recommendations on how to fix the problem and three vendors have offered their services. Those vendors gave their proposals to the association's board Tuesday night, but the board asked for more details and thus put off choosing one of the three.

Herren predicted that, once they have the requested information, the board could choose a vendor as early as today and as late as Friday.

Woodland Villages is located at the intersection of Southeast 17th Street and Southeast 25th Avenue. The pond, which featured a water jet, was a popular attraction for passers-by on the busy streets.

Herren said all the homes inside the complex are safe and that the clubhouse, pool and tennis courts have all been re-opened to residents

He said there actually were two sinkholes, the first near the north side of Southeast 17th Street, which was measured at a foot wide and 35 feet deep. The second sinkhole, which was closest to the clubhouse and the most visible, was about 15 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Herren said that was the hole that swallowed up all the water.

The pond, which was roughly five acres in size and approximately eight feet deep in places, disappeared over a few hours late last Tuesday as Herren and residents watched helplessly.

The pond was built in 1984 when the complex of estate homes, condominiums, town homes, manor homes and patio homes was built. Approximately 700 people live in the complex.

Herren said that twice before, in 1996 and 2003, the water in the pond had diminished due to sinkholes, "but not this major."

<p>Officials put off a decision Tuesday night on selecting a vendor to repair two sinkholes that last week swallowed a huge retention pond inside a subdivision, but a decision could be coming by Friday.</p><p>Wes Herren, property manager for the Woodland Villages Association, said Tuesday that an engineering firm gave them recommendations on how to fix the problem and three vendors have offered their services. Those vendors gave their proposals to the association's board Tuesday night, but the board asked for more details and thus put off choosing one of the three.</p><p>Herren predicted that, once they have the requested information, the board could choose a vendor as early as today and as late as Friday.</p><p>Woodland Villages is located at the intersection of Southeast 17th Street and Southeast 25th Avenue. The pond, which featured a water jet, was a popular attraction for passers-by on the busy streets.</p><p>Herren said all the homes inside the complex are safe and that the clubhouse, pool and tennis courts have all been re-opened to residents</p><p>He said there actually were two sinkholes, the first near the north side of Southeast 17th Street, which was measured at a foot wide and 35 feet deep. The second sinkhole, which was closest to the clubhouse and the most visible, was about 15 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Herren said that was the hole that swallowed up all the water.</p><p>The pond, which was roughly five acres in size and approximately eight feet deep in places, disappeared over a few hours late last Tuesday as Herren and residents watched helplessly.</p><p>The pond was built in 1984 when the complex of estate homes, condominiums, town homes, manor homes and patio homes was built. Approximately 700 people live in the complex.</p><p>Herren said that twice before, in 1996 and 2003, the water in the pond had diminished due to sinkholes, "but not this major."</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>